Thousands say farewell to fallen Delco firefighter

Pallbearers remove the casket of Philadelphia Fire Capt. Matthew LeTourneau from the top of Engine 45 after a short procession to the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul on Friday in Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police and firefighters there to honor the life of Capt. Matthew LeTourneau dealt with steady rain all morning that tapered off before the fallen firefighter was laid to rest.
RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA

In a final salute Friday, the bond of brotherhood stretched from Philadelphia to Delaware County for fallen firefighter Capt. Matthew LeTourneau.

As hundreds of mourners filled the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia for a morning Mass in celebration of the life of the 42-year-old Springfield, Delaware County, resident, hundreds more gathered in the auditorium at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Marple to watch the solemn service as it was being streamed across the internet.

In welcoming LeTourneau’s families both personal and professional, the Rev. G. Dennis Gill, rector of the cathedral, said, “We walk with you during the time of this profound sadness in the light of our shared faith.”

LeTourneau, the priest said, “died in heroic service to our city.”

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An 11-year career veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, a longtime Springfield Fire Department volunteer and a Delaware County fire instructor, LeTourneau died last Saturday from injuries he suffered after becoming trapped inside a fire-ravaged row home in the 2200 block of North Colorado Street in North Philadelphia.

“Even as Matt becomes part of our storied past, he will always be with us in the future,” Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said in remarks prior to start of the Mass of Christian Burial. “Matt is not gone. He has simply gone ahead, joining a company of other heroes. No doubt they are working their way down that smoky hallway making it safe for the rest of us.”

A shining example

Thiel, who said he awoke Friday wondering how he was going to make it through the day, spoke for the entire Philadelphia Fire Department in expressing thanks to those “from every corner of the city, region, commonwealth, nation, and indeed the entire globe” for helping to honor their courageous comrade.

Since joining the PFD in 2007, LeTourneau’s assignments included Engine 43 in Center City, Engine 57 in West Philadelphia, Ladder 77 – the Pope’s detail — and most recently, Engine 45 in North Philadelphia.

In 2010, LeTourneau received a unit citation and in 2015, he received a letter of commendation for his service during the World Meeting of Families.

Promoted to lieutenant in 2015, LeTourneau was promoted posthumously to captain on Friday.

“He lived, ate, slept and breathed this job. He was the consummate professional and an incredible volunteer. And there was no distinction between the two,” Thiel said. “To be honest, I can’t believe we are here, not for anyone, not for Matt … In time, we will come to understand but I will never accept what happened last Saturday.”

By both the way he lived and the way he died, Thiel said, “Matt set a shining example for us all.”

While he did not know LeTourneau, Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney said he had come to learn much about him since his death, including his devotion to family, faith, animals and firefighting.

“Be extra kind to our first responders today, and every day,” the mayor said, adding they should also thank their families for the sacrifices they make in allowing their loved ones to keep residents safe.

Luke LeTourneau, Matt’s brother, in his remarks of remembrance, reminded those gathered in the church and elsewhere, “God is good all the time.” Luke described Matthew as a person who had “great respect” for people, from rookie to commissioner, from stranger to best friend.

“He never wanted anyone to feel left out,” Luke LeTourneau said. “We joked he should have run for office.”

In addition to brother Luke, Matthew is survived by his mother, Janice; sister, Michelle Ciano; and brother Mark LeTourneau. He was predeceased by his father, Daniel, and two brothers, Michael and Thomas.

With five years between them, Luke said he and his older brother shared a close friendship growing up, as well as a bedroom. He recalled some roughhouse basketball games, as well as being together for the Phillies winning run in 1993. When Luke married, Matt was his best man; and each time Luke and his wife welcomed a child into the world, Matt was there at the hospital. Matt LeTourneau is godfather to Luke’s daughter, Hailey.

“I was there when he graduated from the Fire Academy, which was his lifelong dream,” Luke said.

“His calling was known even from the womb,” Luke said, noting that when their parents arrived at the former Sacred Heart Hospital in Chester on June 8, 1975, their mother in labor, a fire drill had turned the parking lot into a scene of chaos.

It was through dark moments including the loss of family members that Matt’s strength truly shined, Luke LeTourneau said.

But Matt, too, had a lighter side. Anyone who knew him knew about his passion for golf. Luke recalled an occasion that involved glow-in-the-dark golf balls.

“We all know jokes and goofy moments were Matt’s forte,” Luke said.

Recalling Matt’s unannounced visits at the house, he said his brother would rile up his children and the dog alike, smiling like only Uncle Matt could.

Whenever anyone asked Matt if he had children, Luke said his brother’s response was always the same: “No children, but I have the best nieces and nephews in the world.”

Last respects

Outside the cathedral, colleagues in uniforms from fire departments near and far lined the sidewalks to pay their final respects. Inside, there were readings by LeTourneau’s cousin David Thomas and sister-in-law Mary E. LeTourneau, and hymns led by cantor Jackie Dunleavy and the Cardinal O’Hara choir.

In his homily, Gill told those gathered, “God is here,” and those of faith are never alone – just as LeTourneau’s colleagues have noted that they never left him alone when he went into the burning building.

“Only in living with the Lord, and in the Lord, do moments like this, the death of someone so young, and in a tragic way, begin to make sense,” Gill said. “My brothers and sisters, I say to all of you, and especially to the dear family. Let us not forget, yes, God is here.”

It was under a rainy, gray sky that the procession of family, friends and emergency responders left Philadelphia with LeTourneau’s flag-draped casket carried atop Engine 45. As they arrived at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Marple, driving beneath the ceremonial arch erected by Springfield and Holmes fire companies, the rain turned to a drizzle and then stopped.

To the haunting strains of a group of bagpipers, pallbearers in uniform and white gloves carried the casket. As they walked a slow pace to the grave, all others in uniform stood in salute.

For a short time, a seemingly endless line of uniformed firefighters and other first responders encircled LeTourneau’s family.

A volley of gunshots was followed by the ringing of bells and the sounding of taps. The flag that had draped LeTourneau’s casket was carefully folded and presented to LeTourneau’s mother.

The tribute culminated a two-day formal firefighter farewell. Thursday night, thousands of people gathered at the cathedral for a viewing. Prior to the Mass on Friday morning, others passed through the cathedral to view LeTourneau, who was laid to rest in his dress uniform.

Among the mourners was Bill Lavery. He became friends with LeTourneau when they were in first grade at Holy Cross Catholic Grade School. They were also in the same Cub Scout pack, and the same graduating Class of 1993 from O’Hara. Together, they joined the Springfield Fire Department as junior firefighters at the age of 16.

“I turned around one day and Matt said, ‘We should join the fire company,’” Lavery said. “It really caught me by surprise.”

Lavery said their conversations usually involved model trains, golf and baseball. He suspects Matthew’s interest stemmed in some way from his grandfather’s involvement in firefighting.

“But (firefighting) was something he was always into, something he knew he was going to do,” Lavery said.

Since the age of 4, LeTourneau “had a dream to be a fireman like his grandfather and great-grandfather,” according to his family.

In addition to his volunteer service, LeTourneau worked at Kartman Fire Protection, Delaware County Emergency Training Service Center, and Delaware County Board of Fire and Life Safety.

“Matt didn’t restrict himself to just the Philadelphia area. He reached out to surrounding communities, such as Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., to hold classes, or just stopped into firehouses around the country to see the latest in new technology,” his family states.

“From high school to his last day, Matt was tireless. He never fatigued. He was always energetic,” Lavery said. “He loved training and talking firefighting.”